Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex
Pastoral (6500–1500 BCE Bubalus to Caballine)·Messak pastoralists (Garamantian antecedents)·🇱🇾 Fezzan, Messak Settafet, Wadi Mathendous fringe, Karkur Murr, Libya
About
About Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex
Messak documented by Mori 1960s and di Lernia, Bubalus 6500 BCE huge fauna.
Why it mattersKey Messak pastoralists (Garamantian antecedents) rock-art with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Trade network extent
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Observatory
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 6500 BCE Bubalus elephant 4 m; pastoral 3500 BCE
- Period
- Pastoral (6500–1500 BCE Bubalus to Caballine)
- Culture
- Messak pastoralists (Garamantian antecedents)
- Purpose
- Messak plateau edge rock art — Bubalus elephants 4 m long as iconic Wadi Mathendous satellite
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1859
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex
c. 6500 BCE Bubalus elephant 4 m; pastoral 3500 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex
1920 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex
On the ground
Structures & features
25.9200° N · 12.1800° E · 570 m · 4 mapped features
Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — Principal Structure
structurestructure at Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — hydraulic feature
25.9185° N · 12.1793° EKarkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — Northern Complex
complexcomplex at Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — subsidiary complex
25.9206° N · 12.1818° EKarkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — Southern Rock Art
rock artrock art at Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — hydraulic feature
25.9180° N · 12.1811° EKarkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — Eastern Structure
structurestructure at Karkur Murr Rock Art — Messak Plateau Libya-Annex — primary structure
25.9184° N · 12.1815° E